Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Resources for action

ALBANY -- Bearing banners, peace flags and signs, about 200 protesters marched on a downtown federal building to call for an end to the Iraq War and to demand American troops be brought home before more lives are lost.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers resources for dioceses and parishes here.

“Our nation cannot afford a shrill and shallow debate that distorts reality and reduces the options to ‘cut and run’ versus ‘stay the course,’” said Bishop Wenski. “Instead we need a forthright discussion that begins with an honest assessment of the situation in Iraq and acknowledges both the mistakes that have been made and the signs of hope that have appeared. Most importantly, an honest assessment of our moral responsibilities toward Iraq should commit our nation to a policy of responsible transition…. Our nation’s military forces should remain in Iraq only as long as it takes for a responsible transition, leaving sooner rather than later.”